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Vol.

2/7

July 2009

Program

News

WIC’S New Food Choices

Coming in October

By Patty Suskin, Registered Dietitian

with SPIPA

Check this out:

„„Fully breastfeeding moms will get the

biggest WIC food package! More food

than in the past including: canned tuna,

salmon, sardines or mackerel, milk, juice,

eggs, bread, fresh fruits and vegetables,

peanut butter and beans.

„„Breastfed babies over six months will get

the most infant foods - baby food meats,

jarred baby fruits and vegetables, and

baby cereal.

„„Partially breastfeeding moms will receive

more food than postpartum moms.

„„Postpartum moms not breastfeeding will

be eligible for WIC for only six months

after the baby is born.

„„Breastfeeding moms are eligible for WIC

for one full year after the baby is born.

„„The amount of formula provided for

infants will be reduced.

„„No juices until after one year old.

„„Children age two or over will receive 2%,

1%, or fat-free milk only (whole milk will

not be available).

„„Children’s packages will include one

pound of cheese only.

„„1- 4 year olds and women will receive

vouchers for fresh fruits and vegetables.

„„1- 4 year olds and women will receive

100% whole wheat bread, tortillas,

oatmeal, bulgur or brown rice.

For additional information, contact

Debbie Gardipee-Reyes at 360-462-3227 or

check out Washington State WIC web site

http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/WIC/newfoods.

htm

You Can Help Others With

Health Insurance

Do you or someone you know want to have

more meaning in your life? Do you want

to do something satisfying and of great

service to your community? Then become

a Statewide Health Insurance Benefits

Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine volunteer!

As a free service offered to consumers by

the Washington State Office of the Insurance

Commissioner, we need volunteers who

want to help others in Lewis, Thurston, and

Mason Counties get access to health care

coverage.

The only qualifications we require are:

„„A desire to help people in need

„„No affiliation with an insurance company

„„Ability to ensure client confidentiality

„„Willingness to provide unbiased

information

We train our volunteers to answer

questions about health care coverage, make

referrals, help evaluate and compare options,

facilitate meetings, give presentations,

provide office support, and much more.

You don’t need any health insurance

knowledge – all you need is a desire to help

others out of the Office of the Insurance

Commissioner in Tumwater.

For more information, call us at 1-800562-6900 and tell the operator you want

to talk to someone about volunteering for

SHIBA.

Chehalis Tribal Newsletter

PO Box 536

Oakville, WA 98568

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(Available-Under Construction) ©Copyright

2009 CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER

is a publication of the Confederated Tribes

of the Chehalis Reservation.

CHEHALIS

TRIBAL

NEWSLETTER

Honoring June “Tiny”

Elders:

Jones

 She loves to

attend church, and

says, “It is a good

way of life,”

page 3

 “People of the Sands” 

21 Head Start Students Graduate in

June -- Make Tribe and Families Proud

Many community members turn out to celebrate with

graduates as they set sights on kindergarten, page 2

Tribe Honors High School Economy Affects

Graduates and Encourages 2009 Fireworks

Them to Continue Education Season

By Fred Shortman, Editor

happen if one does what they love. High

School was simply a stepping stone to a

greater life.

After Rachel’s speech, JJ Shortman raffled

off the names of each parent or guardian.

Each family picked a gift of their choice

from prizes ranging from a George Forman

grill to gift cards for restaurants such as the

Olive Garden, and Red Lobster.

The keynote speaker for the night was

Rodney Youckton, who encouraged all

graduates to pursue their educations. He read

a poem to the graduates titled “The Race” by

D.H. Groberg. The poem was touching, and

encouraged the young adults to never give

up. Sometimes life gives us hard times and

we feel discouraged, but if we try hard and

get ourselves up again, we can accomplish

whatever it is we want. TELO would also

The tribe’s annual fireworks season is a

time for families to set up small businesses

to earn a little extra spending money. The

fireworks stands are located throughout the

reservation; Thunder Valley 1 and Thunder

Valley 2, Top of the Hill, Thunder City Mall,

Indian Country, Moon Road and one stand at

the Tribal Center parking lot.

This year, the tribe made accessible a

new place to set up -- “Thunder Alley.”

There were 99 stands set up throughout the

reservation, which was 23 more than last

year.

Each year stand owners select the

location for their stand, naming their stand,

building it, painting and then filling it with

stock. That’s just the start. Then the owner

hires and schedules employees.

It’s interesting how each stand owner

approaches sales and decides on the stock to

sell. Many fireworks stand owners depend

on their return customers who they refer to

as “Repeats.” The veteran stand owners are

always looking forward to building a bigger

customer base.

Many of the new fireworks stand owners

are learning the ropes to selling fireworks. It

is a highly-competitive business and many

have difficulty their first year. This year,

because of the economy, some didn’t make

a profit after paying expenses. Jody Smith

said, “It was my first year as a stand owner.

I was glad to make a little more than I did

when I was just a helper for someone else.”

Many customers traveled great

distances, continuing their annual Fourth

of July tradition of purchasing fireworks

at a Chehalis tribal stand. Some customers

purchase fireworks to celebrate a birthday,

wedding or even save some for the

See Graduates, page 4

See Fireworks, page 4

At the recognition dinner 2009 high school graduates display their Pendleton

blankets: (LR) Halisa Higheagle, Jerry Meas, Todd DeLaMater, Jacob

Secena, Chelsey Potter, Hillary Powell, and Courtney Brown. Not pictured:

Twins-Darrin Jr., and Daniel Jones, Britney Charley and Micheal Russell.

By Jason Gillie, TELO Education Coordinator

June 16 was a night to remember for all.

The TELO program was busy all week long

preparing for the banquet which honored

eleven graduates and their families. The

room was adorned with colorful balloons

and decorations. The Lucky Eagle Casino

provided parmesan chicken and lasagna.

Two-hundred-and-fifty people turned out to

share in this momentous occasion!

After dinner Chairman David Burnett

opened the evening with a short speech

assuring the graduates that the Chehalis

Tribe is behind their decisions and wished

them a bright future.

Next in line to speak was the nervous

Higher Education. Coordinator, Racheal

Mendez. She encouraged each graduate to

seek their calling in life. She also mentioned

the happiness and fulfillment in life can

Fish and Smiles are Caught by All at Tribe’s

Annual Head Start Fatherhood Fishing Day

By Andy Olson, Fisheries Biologist

The pond was stocked in preparation

for the Head Start’s Fatherhood Fishing

Day. On June 11 the weather was

great for fishing and enjoying the

outdoors together with family. This

year the Natural Resources Department

suggested the use of the tribal property

in Grand Mound for the Fatherhood

Day. Everyone was happy to see the

new location, and that there was no mud.

Last year was miserable: It was cold and

rainy and the field was muddy.

This year we had partial clouds and

not too hot weather and the kids loved

it almost as much as the adults. The

Fisheries Department arranged for over

500 fish to be stocked the day before and

they proved to be willing biters, although

some were hoping for more bites. Greg

Burnett was a great host, since we were

using his leased pasture. He moved his

horses out for us, and they had done a

great job of eating the grass so it was

much easier to get around.

The smiles were plentiful with

catches of crappie, sunfish, large mouth

bass, northern pikeminnow (Chub), and

the stocked trout. Head Start provided

lunch supplies and Fisheries barbecued

the hotdogs and set up the spread for

the kids and their parents. Altogether it

was a great day and we are all looking

forward to next year. There was talk of

an event this summer, so keep your ears

open and watch for the posting.

Josh Terry

spends the

day with his

daughter

Lauryn

(age 4) at

the tribal

property on

Fatherhood

Fishing

Day. Josh

said,

“This is

awesome!

It’s one of

the best

days we’ve

spent

together.”

2

Head Start Students Graduate and

Celebrate With Families and Friends

Event Teaches Children About

the Hazards of Smoking

By Lorrie Bonifer, Prevention Specialist

The 2009 Head Start graduates are off to kindergarten. Bottom row (LR):

Xander Klatush, Brandy Fair, Kassidie Jones-Caprio, James Woosley,

Kaylena Delgado. Middle row (LR): Christopher Lewis, Marissa Kohl, Sara

Petrick, Tristan Knutson, Emily Hipps, Mei-lien Tanner, Josalyn Wilder,

Anthony Groninger. Top row (LR): Annie Brown, Antonio Garcia Del Rio,

Javier Gutierrez, Tiani Carr, Caitlin Berg, Kai Ramirez, Derek Ruymann.

Pictured on front page: Timbre Hill. Not pictured: Shayden Baker.

By Tracy Mitchell, Pre-K Teacher

Twenty-one children graduated from the

Chehalis Tribal Head Start program and

are off to kindergarten. The graduation

ceremony was held at the Youth Center on

June 26. Diane Devlin and Sally Pikutark

presented a beautiful inlaid globe that

belonged to their late brother, Terry Devlin.

The globe symbolizes one of Terry’s wishes

for the children of the Chehalis Tribe: He

wanted them to have the world. The globe

now stands in the foyer of the Head Start

building to be admired by all, and will be

shared throughout the classrooms for all the

children to enjoy.

Chairman David Burnett spoke to the

graduates and recited excerpts from “Oh

the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss. Each

graduate received a cedar medallion made

by Elder Evelyn Penn. They also received

graduation photos, a sweatshirt and a back

pack which was purchased with money

raised by the parents of the graduates. The

Lucky Eagle Casino donated a delicious

meal for the families and community.

We would like to thank the Business

Committee, Tony Medina and the Youth

Center staff, the Lucky Eagle Casino, the

parents of the graduates and the community

for supporting this event. It was a time of

celebration and joy.

Tribe’s Drum-Making Class Illustrates

Significance of Drums to Native People

By Dianne Devlin Cultural Coordinator

On June 20, 17 community members

attended a drum making class sponsored

by the Cultural Program which offered two

types of drums for participants to make

a traditional hand-held Salish drum with

a frame made of steam-bent wood and a

smaller version of a hand-held drum (the

baby drum) made from an eight-sided

wooden frame for children eight years

old and under. Both types of drums where

single-sided drums. The baby drums were

offered to young children, parents, and

grandparents who wanted to make a drum

for their little ones. The smaller drum frames

where hand-crafted by a local wood worker,

Foster Gillie.

After participants completed their drums,

they made drum sticks out of branches with

wrapped rawhide tips. Each drum stick was

cut to a specific length for each person,

so that they would feel comfortable while

drumming.

A second class will be offered in the latter

part of July with the remaining materials left

over from this class. We had 25 adult drum

kits and 25 children drum kits. Most of the

adult drum kits were used for this class. This

means most of the drum kits for our next

class are for children. We are hoping many

parents or grandparents will want to make

a special gift for their budding traditional

singers.

Drums Have Long History

Drum making dates back hundreds, if not

thousands, of years. Because of the types of

materials used, most drums did not survive

to tell their stories. What we do know is

that drums fall into three categories: Singleheaded drums, double-headed drums and

kettle drums. All of these drums are beaten

with sticks of many shapes and sizes. Most

tribes beat on the outside of the drum, except

the Inuit of the far north who beat against

the inside.

Drum materials from tribes across

America were modified to fit available

regional materials. Tribes still use many of

the same materials to make drums today.

Rawhides are stretched and tied over the

drum to create the drumhead. The base

of drums varies. Some are made from

hollowed-out tree trunks. Others are wood

panels bent into circles, or wood made into

eight-sided frames.

„„ Single-headed drums commonly utilize

deer, cow or caribou hide stretched across

a wooden frame that has been soaked and

formed into a circle.

„„Double-headed drums (covered by

hide on top and bottom) are also used

by numerous tribes and have become a

fixture on the Powwow circuit.

„„Kettle drums are usually made from

wooden, ceramic or metal containers

covered with some type of hide or rubber.

Often the kettle drums are filled with

small amounts of water to give a different

tone. These are referred to as water drums

and used most commonly by the Native

American Church.

Why You Keep Your First Drum

The drum is a powerful instrument and

is broadly considered to be the first musical

instrument used by humans. Indigenous

people throughout America refer to the drum

as the “heartbeat of Mother Earth”. Drums

are used for dances, ceremonies, games

and sacred practices. In the Americas, the

drum has a history that dates back to preColumbian times. Remnants of wooden

cylinder drums, and small pottery drums

found in Central Mexico, Peru, and other

parts of America have dated back to AD

700: Older examples most

likely existed but succumbed

to the elements.

It is our tradition that

the first time you make

something, you must give

the item away, but not if you

make a drum. When you sing

with the drum you have made,

you are giving a gift each and

every time you use it.

Instructor and Chehalis

Tribal Elder Elaine

McCloud helps Shayna

Pickernell, age six,

trim deer hide before

assembling it on a

drum ring.

On June 17, Jesse Youckton and Meghan

Sullivan, from a non-profit organization

called TOGETHER that focuses on youth

violence, alcohol, tobacco and drug

prevention in Thurston County, helped lead

a tobacco trash clean up day which began

at the Youth Center. The event occurred

in collaboration with the Chehalis Tribe

Substance Abuse, Tobacco Prevention

Program and the SDPI Diabetes Programs.

Healthy breakfast smoothies, and a healthy

lunch was provided to all the volunteers.

Using gloves and plastic baggies, over

15 participants walked around the Youth

Center, the baseball fields, Head Start

and Elders Center, Tribal Center, and the

Wellness Center collecting approximately 10

pounds of cigarette butts, cigarette and chew

can packages, etc!

Discarded cigarette butts, packages,

and other tobacco-related debris pose a

significant litter burden. Cigarette butts are

the most littered item in the world. Cigarette

butts are non-biodegradable, and they find

their way into storm drains and then end up

poisoning fish and birds who swallow them

as well as polluting our rivers and oceans.

Butts are also a potential hazard to

young children. Poison control centers

and emergency rooms report incidents

caused by children ingesting cigarette

butts. In addition, children can be burned

by adults holding cigarettes down by their

sides, which are just at the right height

of children’s faces and arms. Discarded

smoldering cigarettes can also burn children

who are barefoot or who pick up the butts

with curious fingers. Cigarettes also pose a

significant fire danger, killing more young

children than all other unintentional injuries

combined according to the University of

Wisconsin School of Medicine.

Youth are also very impressionable. They

watch their parents and Elders, learning

from their behaviors more than their words.

When youth are exposed to adult role

models smoking, they learn that smoking

is socially acceptable. The risk for children

becoming smokers or using tobacco is

reduced when the role modeling of adult

smoking is taken away.

Tobacco use also exposes everyone to

secondhand smoke.

Anytime we smell

cigarette smoke, we are being exposed to

secondhand tobacco smoke! Secondhand

smoke (SHS) outdoors does not just float

away. On a windless day, secondhand smoke

initially rises, but as it cools it begins to sink

and will hang in the typical breath space

for children and adults. If there is wind, the

smoke can often blow right into someone’s

face. Secondhand smoke contains a large

quantity of reparable particles which can

cause not only breathing difficulties for

those with chronic respiratory diseases

but also eye, nose, and throat irritation

upon contact in healthy people. Some

health effects associated with exposure

to secondhand smoke include decreased

respiratory function, and pulmonary

development in children, as well as reduced

immune function in people of all ages. SHS

causes hundreds of thousands of cases of

pneumonia, bronchitis, asthma, and middle

ear infections, as well as sudden infant death

syndrome (SIDS) and also triggers and

exacerbates asthma attacks.

Assisting and supporting people to

quit tobacco is an important goal for

communities who are concerned about all

of the health consequences for tobacco

users and folks who encounter second hand

smoke. On average it takes eight attempts

for people to successfully kick the habit. The

Washington State Tobacco Quit Line offers

free information and help quitting online and

over the phone: www.quitline.net or 1-800QUIT-NOW. Contacting the Quit Line can

double people’s chances of success!

The Substance Abuse, Tobacco

Prevention Coordinator, Lorrie Bonifer, the

Youth Center and TOGETHER! Staff will

be collaborating to organize another tobacco

trash clean up event (see flyer page 4). All

litter that is collected will be presented to

the Business Committee this fall. We will

be requesting the committee to consider

potential opportunities to better protect the

health of all of our tribal members including

our youth and Elders, whose immune

systems are more fragile while preventing

our youth from starting to use tobacco. If

you are interested in quitting smoking or

working toward clean air policies, please

contact Lorrie Bonifer at 360-709-1717

Lbonifer@chehalistribe.org.

On Kick-Butt Day, volunteers and youth picked up about 10 pounds of

cigarette butts. Top (LR): Tres Meddaugh Daniels, Jacqueline Bray, Johnny

Atkins, Anne Marie Youckton, Isaak Hofstetter, Zachary Vanuelos. Middle

(LR) : Savanna Bush-Bird, Leo Daniels. Front: Meghan Sullivan, Jared

Simmons, Jesse Youckton. Not pictured: Kirsten Secena, Tianna Kalama

and Dewey Gleason Wheeler.

Chehalis

Tribal

Newsletter

420 Howanut Road

Oakville, WA 98568

(360) 273-5911 (office)

(360) 273-5914 (fax)

newsletter@chehalistribe.org

Business Committee

David Burnett, Chairman

Don Secena, Vice Chairman

Jessie Goddard, Treasurer

Cheryle Starr, Secretary

Dan Gleason, Sr., 5th Council Member

Chehalis Tribal Newsletter Staff:

Fred Shortman, Communications

Coordinator

Articles and opinions expressed in this

publication are not necessarily the opinions

of this publication or the Chehalis Tribal

Business Committee.

The Chehalis Tribal Newsletter encourages

tribal members to submit letters, articles,

photographs, and drawings to be considered

for publication. These are subject to editing.

Contributing writers, artists, and

photographers include Chehalis tribal

community members and staff.

Submission deadline: 6th of each month

Printed: Each month

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis

Reservation...

“People of the Sands”

3

Honoring our Elders:

June “Tiny” Jones

“...met her husband Jake Jones while attending services at the Little

White Church and has been married for the past 54 years...”

I am proud to be a member of the Chehalis Tribe. I was born June 9, 1934 at

home in Oakville. My parents are Wesley Jack Brown and Gladys Beckwith

Brown. My Chehalis grandparents are Ernest and Lizzie Beckwith. My greatgrandparents are Suzie Sickmon and John Beckwith.

I have been married to Jake Jones for 54 years. I met him by going to the

Little White Church, and I have been going to church ever since. It is a good

way of life, both exciting and challenging. We have three daughters, Francine,

Yvonne and Janet and one son, Dennis. We have 17 grandchildren and 17

great-grandchildren.

I grew up on the reservation. Sometimes

we lived at my grandpop’s house. Most

of the time, we lived at our farm on Moon

Road. Whenever I would visit my family

on the reservation we would travel down

Moon Road. This brought back memories of

the way of life living on the farm. All nine

of us kids helped by doing the farm chores,

getting wood and picking berries when

they were in season. My mom canned all

the vegetables and fruit, so we never were

without food.

I went to the Oakville School. We walked

from Moon Road to the County Line Road

to catch the bus. We would cut across Elsie

Smith’s yard to catch the bus. Cindy DavisAndy caught the bus there too, but she

attended school in Rochester.

Another neighbor, Annie Jack, lived on the

corner of Moon Road.

While living at grandpop’s home on

South Bank Road, we enjoyed playing with

our aunt Lois and uncle Bill Beckwith.

We also enjoyed playing baseball and

football with our uncles Robert and Richard

Beckwith in the field on the farm. When

Alberta and Delores Conner came over we

always had a ball game going. Sometimes

it was sock ball or shad ball. Being kids, we

were always thinking of ways to have fun

after our chores were finished.

When we lived on Moon Road, my dad

would go to cut wood at Hayden’s property.

We would enjoy playing ball with the

Youckton children, Chops, Mel, Clara and

Mutt. Other games we enjoyed playing were

anti-eye-over, red light green light, and tag.

Even though we didn’t have television back

then, we were never bored.

On family nights we would gather in the

living room listening to the radio as they

broadcasted shows like the Lone Ranger,

Intersanctem, Mystery Blondie, etc. It was

exciting, as we were left awaiting the next

story.

Families back then used to help each

other with jobs that needed to be done,

from haying or building homes, supporting

each other, learning and enjoying each

other’s company as the tasks were finished.

It was hard work, but together things were

accomplished.

I remember Tribal Days: There was

always a free clam bake. We brought picnic

lunches and ate under the oak tree. There

were always fun games and races provided

for the kids. There was a tug-of-war, dry

canoe races, foot races, wheel barrow, and

sack races. At the end of the day my dad and

grandpop played Slahal games under the old

June and her husband, Jake Jones, celebrate

their 50th wedding anniversary with their

children (LR) Dennis, Janet, Yvonne, and

Francine.

oak tree.

Another memorable holiday was

Christmas Eve at the old school house.

Frank Pete was Santa Claus, and brought

treats for everyone who attended. When

missionaries had Sunday school the children

practiced for the Christmas Eve show. When

the night came each child would stand on

stage and recite their parts. Like I said,

“There was never a dull moment.”

Later my dad became a logger. He

worked hard all his life. My mom was a hard

worker too. She could do anything, even

fix cars. All of us kids (nine of us) helped

with doing farms chores, getting wood and

picking berries.

When I was in the ninth grade, we

moved when my dad got a job logging in

California. While living there I graduated

from Arcata Union High School in 1952.

During the summer months, I would return

to the reservation to earn extra money for

school clothes working for the local berry

farms. I also remember catching the truck

with everyone from the reservation to work

at the hop fields in Chehalis.

While going to the Little White Church,

I met my husband Jake Jones. His father

would bring his family to the Little White

Church services. We would also go to attend

camp meetings at Little Boston. Jake was a

kind and gentle man. At age 20 he proposed

and I accepted. We were married and had a

family. I have been living in Little Boston

for about 45 years which I enjoy. I also

enjoy going back to Oakville to visit family

and friends. My life there brings back so

many fond memories.

As my children grew a little older, I went

to work, then onto college. At the age of

47 I received my bachelor’s degree from

Antioch University in Seattle. I worked for

many years in the Early Childhood Program

here in Little Boston. I still teach Early

Childhood classes for Northwest Indian

College to staff at the Early Childhood

Program.

In the early years, there wasn’t much

business available for the tribe. My

grandpop Earnest Beckwith was the

chairman at one time. Seems like the Indians

existed and BIA handled the business or else

they told tribes what they could do.

I am pleased with the progress the

Chehalis Tribe has made in recent years. The

tribe is good to us senior citizens. Thank you

to the tribe for the benefits.

Tribal Staff Profiles: Accounting and Communications Coordinator

Hello, my name is Geraldine

I was hired to work at the front

(Gerrie) Sanders. I currently

desk answering the telephone

work in the Accounting

with Joyleen McCrory.

Department as the Accounts

In 1976 I was transferred to

Payable Manager. I enjoy

the Accounting Department.

working for the Chehalis

(Funny, I still have my first

Tribe and my work in the

job description initialed by

Accounting Department

Chairwoman Virginia

keeps me very busy. There

Canales.) I have been in the

Gerrie Sanders,

are always bills to pay and

Accounting Department for

Accounting Payable

new software to learn.

33 years!

Manager

My significant other is

Margie Youckton and I were

Ray Secena, Jr. I have a son, Reggie Sanders the only two employees in the Accounting

and four grandchildren, Sidney, Jayden,

Department for many years. Gradually more

Rygin, and JaRae’. My parents are Sidney

employees were hired as the tribe grew and

Sanders, Sr., and Rosetta Wells Klatush. My

received more funding through grants and

Grandparents are Josephine and William

contracts. Presently there are 13 employees

Wells. I was born in Olympia, Washington

in our Accounting Department.

and lived in Oakville most of my life.

Since being involved with the Chehalis

I graduated from Oakville High School

tribal community, I love watching baseball,

in 1972. I attended Centralia College for a

and have traveled with the Tomahawks to

short period of time.

different reservations for ball tournaments.

My employment started with an I.A.T.

I enjoy watching my grandchildren

(Indian Action Team) training class in 1975.

playing

sports. Sidney’s active schedule

Training was for a secretary position and

keeps Ray and I very busy with baseball

home economics. I remember sewing and

games during the spring, and in the fall and

making dresses. I would get pulled from

winter months with his Jr. League Bowling.

training class to type letters on the old

I also like cooking and baking when I have

megcard computer! This old fossil required

time! I enjoy working for the Chehalis Tribe

you to save your work on a card instead of

and have been involved with the community

the computer’s hard drive.

After successfully completing the classes, since living here.

Hoyt, my name is

playing basketball and baseball

Fred Shortman. I am a

when I was younger. I’ve

tribal member and the

coached little league and

Communications Coordinator

football for Oakville. My other

for the tribe. My mom is Faith

hobby is painting and my latest

Secena, and my grandparents

challenge is learning how to

are Nancy (Beckwith) and

carve. I’ve been fortunate to

Murphy Secena. I have two

attend tribal classes on carving

sons, Daryl and Alexander,

and language. I would like

Fred Shortman,

from my first marriage

Communications Coordinator to thank Mr. Wilson for

to Carmen PickernellEditor for the Newsletter carving and Elder Katherine

Shortman. I’m presently

Barr for teaching the

married to Theresa PopeChehalis

language.

Working with the youth

Shortman and have three stepchildren:

really inspires me with the good energy they

Shaquille, Azlynn and Jubilee Kainz.

bring to the classes.

I was raised in a foster family from age

seven and graduated from Langley Jr. Sr.

I found out I had type 2 diabetes in 2000.

High School on Whidbey Island. In 1982 I

By committing to a lifestyle of proper eating

returned home. I applied for a job with the

and exercise, I’ve learned diabetes is a

tribe and was hired as the Senior Citizens

manageable disease.

Coordinator. That was a special job for me,

I hope you are enjoying the newsletter.

working and learning from the seniors. I was It’s been awesome learning about life

honored to have spent that time with them.

on the reservation, connecting family

I’ve continued working for the tribe in

members, taking photos, and reporting on

different jobs since then, spending the last

up-coming events. It’s like I was meant to

16 years working in law enforcement, before

do this position. With the help of my fellow

becoming the Communications Coordinator

for our newsletter. It has been one year since employees, Cecilia Kayano, Paula Barr

and Dan “Bones” Gleason, we’ll continue

I started writing and editing our Chehalis

keeping everyone informed of our tribal

Tribal Newsletter.

events. “?Ey sqatavi” Good day.

My favorite hobbies are bowling,

fishing, karaoke, and billiards. I enjoyed

Protect Your Children Against

Prescription Drug Abuse

Safeguard all drugs at home. Monitor

quantities and control access.

„„ Set clear rules for teens about all drug

use, including not sharing medicine and

always following the medical provider’s

advice and dosages.

„„Be a good role model by following these

same rules with your own medicines.

„„Properly conceal and dispose of old and

unused medicines in the trash.

„„Ask friends and family to safeguard their

prescription drugs as well.

„„Talk to your teen about the dangers of

abusing prescription and over-the-counter

drugs. These are powerful drugs that,

when misused, are just as dangerous as

illegal street drugs. Tell you teen it’s not

worth the risk.

To learn more about teen prescription

drug abuse, visit www.TheAntiDrug.com

or call 1-800-788-2800 to request free

materials. Contact Lorrie Bonifer at 360709-1717 if you have any questions or the

Tsampouwam for treatment information.

Seventy percent of youth get prescription

painkillers from relatives and friends

By Lorrie Bonifer, Prevention Specialist

Although illicit drug use by teens is

declining, now there’s a threat from the

family medicine cabinet. Prescription drugs

provide benefits when used correctly under

the care of a health provider. But when

abused, they can be just as dangerous as

illicit drugs. Parents and caregivers are

the first line of defense in addressing this

troubling trend.

Seventy percent of people age 12 and

older who abuse prescription painkillers say

they get them from relatives and friends.

Others may abuse their own prescription

medicine. Teens also report that these drugs

are not hard to find. About 40 percent of 12th

graders say that painkillers are fairly or very

easy to get, and more than half say the same

about stimulants.

What can you do about this problem?

Think about your home. What prescription

and over-the-counter drugs do you have?

Where are they kept? Would you know if

some are missing? The good news is that

you can take steps immediately to limit

access to these drugs and help keep your

teen drug-free:

Burn Ban Notice

Due to dry conditions a burn ban has been

called until further notice.

No burn barrels

No burning yard debris

No open flames

No lighting fireworks

For more information, contact Chehalis

Tribal Police, 360-273-7051

On Kick Butt Day, youth collected

over 10 pounds of cigarette butts.

They said, “This is yucky! But, it

was great to help clean up the

environment.” (See story, page 2.)

4

Graduates

(continued from page 1)

like to congratulate Rodney once again

on attaining his bachelor’s degree from

Evergreen State College.

To get the graduates involved into the

celebration, JJ Shortman called each of them

to the center stage. They were told to put

on the goofy looking glasses provided for

them and let the game begin. The students

were put against each other one-on-one and

were required to answer a question correctly

in order to have their chance at choosing

a prize. The students had a good time, and

enjoyed their prizes.

Tony Medina, Youth Coordinator, was

last to present a gift to each graduate. Tony

has watched many of the graduates grow

up through activities at the Youth Center,

and shared several funny and embarrassing

moments. As they blushed, the audience

fell into a fit of laughter -- not laughing

at them, but joining in the expression of

embarrassment. Tony presented each student

with a gift card for the Capital Mall and also

encouraged them to further their education

through college.

The slide show was a time to reminisce

for the graduates, friends, and family and

to celebrate the fete they accomplished.

Pictures of each student were displayed on a

large screen for all to see. Families clapped,

and cheered as they watched photos of their

loved ones.

The TELO program then called each

graduating senior up on stage to give them

their gifts and adorn them in a beautiful

Pendleton blanket. The gifts each person

received were small momentous of things

they enjoyed in the past, and perhaps things

they might enjoy in the future. Other gifts

were given purely for laughs.

The graduating seniors were: Courtney

Brown; Centralia (College) High School;

Parents Stacy Youckton and Tony Brown

Sr., Grandparents on mothers side Percy

and Alice Youckton. Todd A. DeLamater;

Oakville High School; Parents Cheryl

“Mimi” Cayenne and Chet DeLamater,

Grandparents on mothers side, Jane KlatushCayenne and Frank Cayenne, Sr. Hillary

Powell; Gig Harbor High School; Parents

Randi Powell-Johnson, step-dad Dave

Johnson, father Earl Powell; Grandparents

Georgia and Albert Meier; Greatgrandparents Alvin and Georgina DavisMeier. Jacob Secena; Oakville High School;

Parents Sam and Leah Secena; Grandparents

Lee and Francis Starr and Ray and Roberta

Secena. Halisa Higheagle; Olympia High

School; Parents Tony and Billie Higheagle;

Grand Parents Yvonne and Gary Peterson.

Micheal W. Russell; Rochester High

School; Parents Dina and Randy Russell;

Grandparents Robert and Marion Russell

and Jerry and Carolyn Sloppy. Kelsey

Potter; Gig Harbor High School; Parents

Jorja and Tim Potter; Grandparents Carl and

Beverly Peterson; Great grandparents Alvin

and Georgina Davis. Twins: Darrin F., Jr.,

and Daniel BA Jones; Oakville High School;

Parents Darrin Jones and Debbie Starr. Jerry

Meas; Taholah High School; Parents Anna

and step-dad Joe Hartman; Grandparent

Lucy Cush. Brittany Charley; Rochester

High School; Parents Josie Charley and

Brian Sharp

Congratulations graduates! Best of luck to

each one of you in the future.

Tribe Receives United

Way Award for Helping

By David Burnett, Chairman

The Chehalis Tribe was given

“Special Recognition” by the

United Way of Thurston County

for 2009. The award was

given at the annual

meeting of the United

Way. The recognition

was due to the longterm commitment

the tribe has made

in supporting the

charities of Thurston

County and the

surrounding region.

I am proud of

the tribe and the

bridges that are being

Director of Government and Public Relations Jeff

built by our donations.

Warnke (left), Chairman David Burnett, and Assistant

We have made a real

General Manager Ena Myers accept the Special

effort to reach out

Recognition Award given by the United Way of Thurston

to our neighbors,

County. The Chehalis Tribe received this award for their

to understand their

contributions to local counties’ non-profit organizations.

work, and to support

their efforts. Over the

Counties. We give greater consideration

past five years, the tribe has donated over

to organizations providing human services

$850,000 to local charities.

such as food banks and social services.

The Chehalis Tribe considers support

Periodically we consider certain capital

for local non-profit organizations, primarily

projects, or events. But those are exceptions

those in Thurston, Lewis, and Grays Harbor

rather than normal donations.

A big, huge THANK YOU

for your support!

Toni and Charles Black’s house

burned down in December, 2008.

Before the couple received insurance

money to rebuild, tribal members

helped out with money from fundraisers and donations.

Pilates Classes

Every Tuesday and Friday

at the Wellness Center

With Pilates you improve muscle

strength, flexibility, balance

and coordination.

All are Welcome! It doesn’t matter what

fitness level you are. Come join the fun

and wear comfortable clothes.

Contact Christina Hicks, 306-709-1689

for more information.

Community

health Walk

Every third Thursday

of each month

Walkers needed to prevent diabetes.

Put on your walking shows and get

moving. Help keep the walking stick.

Everyone is invited

Please sing up and walk.

Contact Lynn or Pat at the Wellness

Center, 360-273-5504

Fireworks (continued from page 1)

Walter Lewis awaits his next customer. The stand “Black Magic” was located

at the new Thunder Alley location and painted by Wakisa Wittwer.

upcoming New Year. They’ve been doing

this for years -- travelling to the Chehalis

Reservation to purchase fireworks because

some of the product

isn’t available

outside the

reservation.

The

economy

affected

all areas

of sales

this

fireworks

season.

Some

stand owners

struggled to

make a profit. Prices

of

many products went up which in turned

lessened what consumers were able to

purchase. Some of the stand owners

commented that their return consumers

spent less or didn’t even show up.

The Centralia Chronicle came

out and interviewed some

stands owners and wholesale

businesses. The wholesalers

can only sell to licensed stand

owners and their workers.

The wholesalers have

to be careful, because there

are always people who think

they can walk up on their docks

and purchase fireworks. This is

not allowed on the reservation. The

wholesalers purchase business licenses

from the tribe in order to set up their

satellites. It makes it convenient for the

small business owners to be able to get

product.

The tribe provided land

on Anderson Road

to stand owners

to rent, and

provided

power, lights,

portable

toilets and

containers

to

dispose of

cardboard.

A lottery

was drawn for

locations and

some stand owners

traded for different

locations. With

a new location available many relocated.

That is how Thunder Alley was born.

Daryl Boyd said, “We love it. It’s a great

location.” Many agreed saying, “We’ve

re-located to this new location. We work

together and it’s a friendly atmosphere.”

Greg Burnett said, “I actually got to

know some of my relatives who I didn’t

know before. If someone needed help, we all

pitched in and worked together.”

The artwork on the stands is quite

outstanding. Stand owners are inspired by

their children who come up with the names

of their stands. Others use their last names

so their repeats can find them. Other use a

fireworks product that inspires customers to

purchase at their stand. Wakisa Wittwer does

an outstanding job and earns a little extra

cash. Great job Wakisa! Some of the stand

owners use their own creative talent to paint

their own stands.

Law Enforcement was active setting up

and enforcing the safety zones. The tribe

reserves an area behind the baseball field

for stand owners and families to watch

a pre-fireworks show and the main

fireworks show. Diana Pickernell

and her daughter, Deidra Hawks,

received fireworks donations from

stand owners for their pre-fireworks

show, dedicating it to Diana’s son,

Paul Snell, Charles Palmer, Tashina

Bumgarner and many other loved

ones who have passed on. Then others

contributed to the pre-fireworks show.

At home on Tahown Drive, Sidney

Sanders (12 years old) provided his own

pyrotechnics to become quite a show maker

of his own, learning from other tribal

members on how to put on

his own professional

show. He dedicated

the show to

his late greatgrandmother,

Rosetta

Klatush.

Barnaby

Canales and

his work crew

of Dustin

Klatush, Jason

Canales, Chet

DeLamater, Manny

Medina, and Omar

Cruz set up the tribe’s annual

fireworks show. It was one of the top three

largest private fireworks shows in the state

of Washington. The stand owners permit

fees paid for half of it and the Lucky Eagle

Casino donated the other half. The class B

cakes and mortars were a heart-pounding

tribute to celebrate our independence.

It is now the second biggest fireworks

display in the State of Washington,

and one of the last hand-lit shows.

Another outstanding job by you and

your volunteers, Barnaby!

Many thanks to others who

helped clean up after the show: It

was nice that people who came out

to the show cleaned up. The grounds

crew also did a great job: Correna

Young, Jeremy Fanning, John Bird,

Jerry Youckton and Ray Secena. Also

the youth workers deserve a big thank you:

Jacinda Medina and Michael Boyd.

Feel free to join the Chehalis Canoe Family

anywhere along the canoe journey, share and

learn with the canoe families. Community

support is greatly appreciated as we practice our

culture with the youth, Elders and other canoe

families. This is a drug/alcohol, and violence free

journey! Everyone is welcome!

At the Youth Center

August 19th starts at 10 AM

2009 Paddle to Suquamish

Blessing of the Tulap tit Weath Canoe:

Saturday, July 25 at 10 AM at the Tribal Center

Itinerary: Lummi: July 26-27;

leave July 28 at 11 AM

Land in Suquamish: August 3;

protocol to follow until Aug. 8.

Any questions contact Sylvia Cayenne for

schedule. 360-273-5911.

Also thanks to the Fireworks

Committee, and Law Enforcement for

the time they committed in inspecting

each and every stand: Pam Youckton,

Greg Burnett, Harry Pickernell, Lucy

Hill, Chris Ortivez and alternate Chris

Richardson.

Photos of the tribe’s fireworks show

were taken by Janessa Bumgarner.

This was her first time that she’d

been out to see the fireworks show

since her sister passed away. It was

nice that fellow tribal and community

members honored her sister and

others in the celebration.

2nd Kick Butt Day

We will have another round of picking up

cigarette butts, and we will weigh them

against what was picked up June 17.

Prizes are one 20-inch girl’s bike

One 20-inch boy’s bike

One I-pod, squirt guns and water balloons.

Healthy smoothies are provided in the

morning and a healthy lunch will also be

provided. Hope to see you there!

All prizes will be raffled so everyone who

participates can win. You only have to

participate to win, not pick up the most.